MCU14/106 Appendix I - Visual Amenity Integration

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2             Character context and visual integration capacity
2.1           Noosa Landscape Character Context
Noosa has a distinctive landscape character due to its natural setting, the high proportion of open space
protected as National Park and conservation areas and the sensitive integration of urban development with
its landscape setting. Noosa planning schemes have prioritised the protection of natural areas and ensuring
that the built environment fits into the natural environment without dominating it (Noosa Plan Strategic
Framework 1.7.4a, p1-4). As a result, Noosa also has a recognisable built form character which is
predominantly low rise, well-designed and landscaped, and related to its natural setting through fine-grained
integration with native vegetation and landform, perhaps best expressed in the Little Cove area. In this
respect Noosa aims to be different from other coastal urban areas on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
Consequently, visitors and residents have a high expectation of environmentally sensitive and integrated
development.




                               Eenie
    Subject                    Creek Road
    Land
                           Walter
                           Hay Dve


Figure 3: Regional Location Map (Source: Nearmap)

2.2           Shire Business Centre
The SBC is located south of Noosaville and Noosa Waters, with frontage to two major arterial roads (Walter
Hay Drive and Eenie Creek Road), and bounded to the south by Eenie Creek. The proposed development is
in the south-east part of the SBC, bounded to the south by Hofmann Drive (partially constructed) which will
connect the existing Eenie Creek Road entrance with Walter Hay Drive. Major street/road connections and
intersections associated with the SBC, and throughout Noosa generally, comprise landscaped roundabouts.
To the south of the site and Hofmann Drive is an extensive area of natural lowland forest on the floodplain
bordering Eenie Creek. Immediately east of the site is the North Weyba section of the Noosa National Park
and Lake Weyba, which is heavily vegetated and largely undisturbed. To the immediate west, north-west
and north of the site is the Noosaville industrial precinct, concentrated along Eumundi Road, Rene Street